Let me be the latest (and surely not the last) poster to thank you all for the wonderful advice. I'm almost complete with my Home Theater setup, and AVS has been responsible for tripling (at least) my original HT budget :). The only thing I'm missing is a sub to complete my new system. This will be my first real HT setup, so I'm analyzing everything to the most minute detail (this is a perfect place to do so!) Here's what we have so far:


Polk RC85i in-wall L,R fronts & surrounds (I know, not ideal, but WAF won this one).
Polk CS2 center.
Onkyo SR-605.


Room is 14'x24' with 8' ceilings. Main theater area is carpeted (bar area in the rear has tile).

Usage will be 90% HT/TV, 10% Music (just for background music at parties, etc. - no need to shake the room so music is not the biggest concern for me - this is my HT sub).

Have to keep the cost to as close to $300 as possible (anything approaching $400 will be vetoed by the CFO).

I thought I was close to a decision, but have been reading more and more about these budget subs, and am no closer to a purchase now than I was two months ago.

Here are my 3 options, in my current order of likelihood of purchase:

eD A2-300
Acculine ASub
BIC H-100
HSU STF-2 (may be out of price range)


So, for my scenario, which I imagine is not totally unique, which sub is the best?

Omitting the STF-2, I would opt for the Ed A2-300. I would call Ed and ask if they have been having problems with the amp in the A2-300. Some people have had a problem with the amp in the Ed A5-350. I would also like to understand what Ed says about the problem with the amp in the A5-350. If I am not mistaken Ed has it's own idea about why some people have had problems with the amp in the A5-350.

It would appear to me that the Ed A2-300 is in another league from the Acculine ASub.

two subs are MUCH better than one for providing smooth response at multiple listening positions. check this little guy out:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

It would appear to me that the Ed A2-300 is in another league from the Acculine ASub.

Funny, that's not exactly what CriagSub said. The 300 has better extension but the Acculine has the advantage in output. Also if I'm not mistaken, the new Acculine has the same passive radiator that the B&G version has, rather then a port, for better performance. But that's just an an assumption.


http://www.bgcorp.com/productDetail.php?id=4


Ian

If you want to stray from the list posted by the OP, the Scamp-10 may be the one to beat. $159 plus shipping. Designed by Mark Seaton. This sub is already making waves in the internet direct community.

May not be available for a couple of months. The OP can search Scamp 10 to find the proper forum to find out about availability.

If you want to stray from the list posted by the OP, the Scamp-10 may be the one to beat. $159 plus shipping. Designed by Mark Seaton. This sub is already making waves in the internet direct community.

May not be available for a couple of months. The OP can search Scamp 10 to find the proper forum to find out about availability.

sub price has changed it will be 250-300 shipped now.

sub price has changed it will be 250-300 shipped now.

Thanks for the heads-up. Falling dollar etc.

sub price has changed it will be 250-300 shipped now.

Unless I've missed something since the "Price Change" thread on TCA, it turned out it was a joke, and the price is indeed still $159.

Edit: Erm.. I guess there was another thread and now it's not a joke? $215 + shipping...

sub price has changed it will be 250-300 shipped now.

Even @ $250, Im buying the scamp!! @ $159, Im buying three!!

two subs are MUCH better than one for providing smooth response at multiple listening positions. check this little guy out:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

Thats good for the price, but I'd take a single A2-300 over 2 of those Dayton's anyday. I have the Dayton SUB80 and a custom sealed A2-300. The eD walks all over the Dayton in SQ and obviously output, not a fair comparison on output though. I have yet to port the custom eD, I love the sealed sound so much.

Even @ $250, Im buying the scamp!! @ $159, Im buying three!!

I totally agree, should be a great sub anywhere in that price range although the $159 initial price has went up a bit due to the falling US $. Check Craigs post at Tweakcity regarding it.

I realize their was a post quite a while ago about a price jump that was a joke but this is official. Still who cares it's going to be a killer sub.

I totally agree, should be a great sub anywhere in that price range although the $159 initial price has went up a bit due to the falling US $. Check Craigs post at Tweakcity regarding it.

I realize their was a post quite a while ago about a price jump that was a joke but this is official. Still who cares it's going to be a killer sub.

yeah does 20hz plety loud, so its a mean sub for the money.

Wow - thanks for the quick responses guys. Now I have a 4th contender! The Scamp-10 does seem like it would be what I need, and I can wait a few months (there's no hurry here as we're still finishing off the basement). My only hesitation is that the other subs on the list have tons of great reviews on this site and I'd be a bit worried to get a sub that almost no one has heard/owned since I'm such a newb at this stuff. More to ponder. How much weight do you all put on Craig's rankings?
One plus to waiting for the Scamp: I'll be able to save up some cash so the WAF should be easier to handle.

if you have few months to kill, then I would wait until Scamp comes out and people start doing a comparison...

How much weight do you all put on Craig's rankings?


I think its a great starting point, 99% of new sub owners will have ZERO problems and will be 100% satisfied with ANY of the top ranked subs on the list. The top companies (SVS, eD, AV123, HSU, Velodyne) just build great subs and the decision is easy...throw a dart and pick one!! We are splitting hairs after that when trying to find true differences.

If you like splitting hairs then go the extra mile, use the list as the initial "short list" then do more research.